Inkjet printer having selectable ink distribution channels to printhead ICS

Abstract

An inkjet printer is provided having at least one printhead module removably mounted to a body of the printer. The printhead module has at least two printhead integrated circuits adhesively mounted to a support member via respective ink distribution members which distribute ink from the support member to inkjet nozzles of the printhead integrated circuits. The support member has a plurality of longitudinally extending channels for carrying different inks for the printhead integrated circuits, the support member being selectable to meet specific requirements as to the number of said inks to be employed for printing. Each of the ink distribution members incorporates a laminated stack of layers, each layer having apertures for distributing the ink from the support member to the associated printhead integrated circuit, the apertures of each layer from the support member to the associated printhead integrated circuit being of successively smaller diameter.

1. An inkjet printer comprising at least one printhead module removably mounted to a body of the printer, the at least one printhead module comprising at least two printhead integrated circuits adhesively mounted to a support member via respective ink distribution members which distribute ink from the support member to inkjet nozzles of the at least two printhead integrated circuits,
 wherein the support member has a plurality of longitudinally extending channels for carrying different inks for the at least two printhead integrated circuits, the support member being selectable to meet specific requirements as to the number of said inks to be employed for printing, and 
 each of the ink distribution members incorporates a laminated stack of layers, each layer having apertures for distributing the ink from the support member to the associated printhead integrated circuit, the apertures of each layer from the support member to the associated printhead integrated circuit being of successively smaller diameter. 
 
     
     
       2. A printer according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the support member, the ink distribution members and the at least two printhead integrated circuits are formed as a unitary arrangement with an electrical connector for connecting electrical signals to the at least two printhead integrated circuits; and 
 the support member includes a plurality of apertures extending through a wall of the support member arranged so as to direct the ink from the plurality of channels to associated nozzles in both, or if more than two, all of the printhead integrated circuits for printing by way of respective ones of the ink distribution members. 
 
     
     
       3. A printer according to  claim 2 , wherein the support member is formed with a further channel for delivering air to the at least two printhead integrated circuits for maintaining the nozzles of the at least two printhead integrated circuits substantially free from impurities. 
     
     
       4. A printer according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the laminated stack comprises at least three layers comprising an upper layer upon which the associated printhead integrated circuit is mounted, a middle layer and a lower layer which is attached to an upper surface of the support member; 
 the lower layer includes first distribution apertures arranged to align with respective ones of the apertures in the support member and first distribution channels in an upper surface thereof associated with respective ones of the first distribution apertures, the first distribution apertures having substantially the same diameter as the apertures in the support member; 
 the middle layer includes second distribution apertures arranged to align with the first distribution channels of the lower layer, the second distribution apertures having a smaller diameter than the first distribution apertures; 
 the upper layer includes second distribution channels in a lower surface thereof arranged to align with the second distribution apertures of the middle layer and third distribution apertures associated with the second distribution channels, the third distribution apertures having a smaller diameter than the second distribution apertures; and 
 the associated printhead integrated circuit includes nozzle supply apertures arranged to align with the third distribution apertures of the upper layer and to direct ink to respective ones of the nozzles, the nozzle supply apertures having substantially the same diameter as the third distribution apertures. 
 
     
     
       5. A printer according to  claim 4 , wherein the apertures of the support member have a diameter of the order of millimetres and the nozzle supply apertures of the printhead integrated circuits have a diameter of the order of micrometres. 
     
     
       6. A printer according to  claim 2 , wherein a lower surface of each ink distribution member is attached to the upper surface of the support member by an adhesive material. 
     
     
       7. A printer according to  claim 6 , wherein the adhesive material is deposited to form a gasket which surrounds each of the apertures of the support member and each of corresponding apertures formed in the lower surface of the ink distribution member so as to form a seal between the respective apertures. 
     
     
       8. A printer according to  claim 7 , wherein:
 the apertures of the support member are formed in a row extending across the support member with respect to the longitudinally extending direction of the support member; and 
 two deposits of the adhesive material are deposited on either side of the row of apertures to provide stability for the mounting arrangement. 
 
     
     
       9. A printer according to  claim 8 , wherein the adhesive material is a curable resin.